The artistic development of the country coincided with its evolution into an independent state. Until 1579, the northern and southern Netherlands were controlled by the Spanish. Seven of the northern provinces formed an alliance, adopting the name of the largest province, Holland. The freedom of the was established in the Twelve Years Truce in 1609, followed by the war with Spain beggining in 1621. In 1648, after the Thirty Years War, the Dutch Nation was given official independence with the Peace of Munster. National pride was abundant at the end of this struggle, and had an impact on the nature of Dutch art in the 17th century.

Renaissance influnence appeared in Dutch art in the early 16th century. Mannerism became the dominant style throughout the Netherlands in the 16th century, copying Italian style while ignoring classic traditions. Haarlem and Utrecht became main centers for Mannerist painting and also a naturalist style that became a distinct feature of Dutch art. Seeing as much of the country was Protestant, there was little interest inthe religious, mythological, and historical works of the time that were popular in Italy. Rather, the Dutch artists and collectors prefered works that portrayed their new national pride through landscape, townscape, and seascape. They also appreciated portraits, genre scenes, still lifes, and scenes from their everyday lives. Dutch art was not supported by aristocratic or religious patrons, thus giving the artists the freedom to develop independently of popular fashions. Furthermore, Dutch art was available to both the upper and middle class, and tailored its style to appeal to their comfortable, modest lifestyles.

Dutch art began to decline around 1870, as the Rococo style came into fashion in France and England. In the 17th and 18th century, Dutch art began following the European trends. There was a small resurgance of Dutch painting in the 1870s with the founding of the Hague School.

Artists: (biography & artworks) Related Paintings Reproductions

Andriessen, Christian - 1775 - 1846
Backer, Jacob Adriaensz. - 1608 - 1651
Bailly, David - 1584 - 1657
Battem, Gerrit van - 1636 - 1684
Bega, Cornelis - 1631 - 1664
Berchem, Nicolaes - 1620 - 1683
Bisschop, Jan de - 1628 - 1671
Bol, Ferdinand - 1616 - 1680
Borch, Gerard ter - 1617 - 1681
Bosschaert the Elder, Ambrosius - 1573 - 1621
Bray, Solomon de - 1597 - 1664
Claesz, Pieter - 1597 - 1660
Cuyp, Albert - 1620 - 1691
Fabritius, Carel - 1622 - 1654
Goyen, Jan van - 1596 - 1656
Hals, Frans - 1580 - 1666
Hobbema, Meindert - 1638 - 1709
Honthorst, Gerrit van - 1590 - 1656
Kalf, Willem - 1622 - 1693
Leyster, Judith - 1609 - 1660
Ruisdael, Jacob van - 1600 - 1670
Ruysch, Rachel - 1664 - 1750
Ruysdael, Solomon van - 1600 - 1670
Vermeer, Johannes - 1632 - 1675